Catonsville Patch Readers Sound off on Speed Camera Vandalism
There is generally no love lost on speed cameras, but torching one?
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Baltimore County Councilman Tom Quirk said Friday that the burning of a Catonsville speed camera on South Rolling Road Friday morning was unfortunate.
"I really wish we didn't need speed cameras," he told Patch Friday afternoon, adding that speeding in Southwest Baltimore County is the biggest issue his office hears complaints about.
"Speeding along Interstate 695 is different than speeding in a community like South Rolling Road. People are sick and tired of people speeding in their communities," he said.
Quirk, along with other Catonsville residents, shared their thoughts on what police say was an act by vandals who set the county speed camera on fire about 1:40 a.m. Friday. The camera was located on a cement pad that was installed just the week before at the intersection of Brook Road and Gary Drive.
Police are still searching for suspects and said the fire caused $13,000 in damages.
While cameras have been vandalized in the county before, this is the first time a camera has been set on fire in Baltimore County.
Marty Haggerty, who lives on South Rolling Road across the street from the camera, watched as firefighters extinguished the camera, which he said was in flames.
"It was frightening," he said. "My kids were crying."
Haggerty, who worked along with many neighbors along that stretch of road to have the camera added, said he was angered by the act of vandalism.
"If you're opposed to the speed camera, you don't do an act of terrorism," he said.
Some Patch readers said they weren't surprised by what happened.
M. Sullivan wrote: "Speed cameras are nothing more than government tyranny. I applaud anyone who has the stones to destroy one."
Readers said that cameras are meant to be revenue generators, which is unfair to taxpayers.
Wrote Daffy Duck: "You really think the government cares about the safety of your kids? The bottom line is, when you install a speed camera, it generates XXX,000 dollars per year. It's the money that drives these decisions, not your children's safety."
KQ Bankert wrote however, that cameras are there for public safety.
"SLOW DOWN and you won't be have to worry about giving extra money to the local government or a 3rd party...drive as if your kids live on the street and as if your kids were in the car with you."
Quirk said that while he hears complaints that the cameras are meant to be revenue generators, he is confident that a majority of people in the district support the mission of speed cameras.
"The best way for people to not have to worry about speed cameras is for people to obey the law," he said.
George Brookhart
8:57 am on Saturday, April 21, 2012
OK, There is a speeding problem on Rolling Road. How do you solve it? You can station a patrol car with radar for hours every day at a cost and it removes that officer from dealing with robberies and such. Or you can put a speed camera at no cost. What do you do. Our problem is not the government it's us. We don't want someone telling us we have to slow down. We want to do whatever we want to do with no restriction and no matter who it may hurt. After all, "It's our right".
PhotoRadarScam2
9:29 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
This is one of the biggest myths. You have the same number of police patrolling the roads before cameras as you do after cameras, if not less because now there is a cop sitting in front of a computer watching videos.
Nick Z.
3:05 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Plus you are saving tax payers from having to sit in their car for 30 minutes while getting written up. Seems like a bonus for speeders.
MikeC
11:16 am on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Thanks, George. I second that. There was talk about speed bumps, but on a heavily traveled road like Rolling, that's a bigger problem than putting in a speed camera. I like the speed camera. I like the idea of a camera mounted on school buses. I've seen far too many cars pass buses that've come to a stop with flashing lights. And many times the cars come from behind the bus! That is simply ridiculous!
Richard Hiteshew
2:09 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Perhaps if the fine was lower, people would not be so angry.
Melissa Katano
2:58 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
If the fine were lower, then people would have absolutely no incentive to slow down. If you don't want to pay a fine, then don't speed. Do the math, people. It's not like you save yourself any significant time by speeding on local roads. To save time, you'd need to be on an interstate and drive a significant distance. (If you're driving 55 miles away, and drive at 60 mph (as opposed to 55 mph), you save yourself....5 whole minutes. Wow. I'm underwhelmed.)
Donald Lehr
9:03 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
No matter how you look at it whether you like the speed cameras or not, destroying property is not right and I hope they catch the a'holes
don l zeller
6:56 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
I agree, slow down, my kids are grown, how would you feel if you hit anyone or a pet, it would be a wake up call!
Cal Oren
8:16 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Has it been determined with any certainty that this fire was deliberately set, and not an electrical fire caused by an internal short-circuit?
Nick Z.
12:28 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
@cal - the liquid burn marks on the cement and pavement might have been an indicator.
Dkennylee
3:06 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
I say thank you to the person that did this and hope you continue. Blenst hem spraypaint lens cut wires what ever it takes to rid us of machines controlling are movements red light cameras to. And I have not had one ticket from them so I'm not mad about a ticket. I'm sick of being controled by goverment. If I want to spped my choice if I get caught give me a ticket if I kill some one putme in jail ..but cameras do not slow you down like a cop on the street . So its my choice not to speed because I don't. Notbecause of a camera ..and if you are well off you don't get points just a fine when seat belt tickets were 25 bucks most people did not use them so I have been in the car with someone and they said what ever just a fine lol so .... where does it help .. I say burn them
jag
10:30 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Riiiiight.
Dkennylee
3:11 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Burn them to the ground if who ever you are get caught I will be the first to raise money for a lawer. But I hope youdont get caught aleast get a couple more out of the way .. or speed camera night were a lot of them are dismantled in one way or another!
Colleen
3:30 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
speeding here is a real public nuisance and the cameras were necessary- posted speed limits and traditional methods are obviously not working. the presence of the high school and the fact that rolling road is a major commuter cut through increase the need for the camera. the basic fact is, the camera doesn't even take a photo unless you are more than 12 miles over the limit. we all know that. if you are going 45 mph in a 30 mph zone near a school- you DESERVE the ticket. as a form of protest, this is just stupid- now taxpayers will have to pay to replace it too.
Nearby
10:13 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The "act of terrorism" phrase used by one of the neighbors was an extremely poor choice of words, and unnecessary hyperbole. Let's act realistically about these things and take care of them in a rational and effective manner rather than frothing at the mouth.
John Patrick Mickanis
8:36 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012
On Sunday evening Sept 2, twenty- nine (29) cars in the Oakrest neighborhood were vandalized. Tires slashed, cars keyed, mirrors broken off. I had two (2) cars and a boat cover damaged. $500. 00 deductable on each auto. Little bastards will be caught and made to pay out the ass for this crime.